Voting machine

ABSTRACT

A compact, versatile voting machine is disclosed having adaptability for use with various vote registering devices such as tally counters and punch card apparatus. The voting machine includes a selector mechanism having a series of parallel columns housing voter operated key slides. A vertical interlock mechanism includes ball housing blocks which are alternately disposed between the key slides and house displaceable interlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks are adjustable to limit the effective length of the tool line to establish groupings of candidates from which a single selection can be made. A magazine at the top of each column is adjustable to permit multiple selections from a grouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock balls into the tool line, and when a predetermined number of voter selections have been made no additional keys can be actuated as they are blocked by the tool line. A row of adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlocked to established selection groups as typically found on a general election ballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns by introducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of a key. A drive mechanism associated with each column permits the voter to vote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for another voter. The drive mechanism includes cam controlled clutches that operate four-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judge controlled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For various voting requirements, judge operated cam arrangements are cooperable with the horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectively lock out partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slides are provided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible, luminescent &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;X&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; when a key is voted.

l VOTING MACHINE [75] lnventors: Cothburn M. ONeal, Dallas; Alfred M.Mayo, Richardson, both of Tex.; George William Childs, deceased, late ofDallas, Tex., by Patricia M. Childs, executrix [73] Assignee: RiversidePress, Inc., Dallas, Tex.

[22] Filed: May 28, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 473,927

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 309,174, Nov. 24,1972, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl 235/54 A [51] Int. Cl. G07C 13/00 [58] Field of Search...235/54 A, 54 D, 54 R, 55 A, 235/51 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 856,997 6/1907 Cutter et al 235/55 A 3,168,240 2/1965 ONeal235/54 R 3,312,390 4/1967 Sh0up..... 235/54 R 3,524,969 8/1970 ONeal235/54 R Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Hubbard, Thurman, Turner & Tucker [57] ABSTRACT A compact,versatile voting machine is disclosed having adaptability for use withvarious vote registering devices such as tally counters and punch cardappara- Oct. 21, 1975 tus. The voting machine includes a selectormechanism having a series of parallel columns housing voter operated keyslides. A vertical interlock mechanism includes ball housing blockswhich are alternately disposed between the key slides and housedisplaceable interlock balls in a tool line. The cam blocks areadjustable to limit the effective length of the tool line to establishgroupings of candidates from which a single selection can be made. Amagazine at the top of each column is adjustable to permit multipleselections from a grouping. Actuation of a key cams the interlock ballsinto the tool line, and when a predetermined number of voter selectionshave been made no additional keys can be actuated as they are blocked bythe tool line. A rowof adjacent horizontal keys can also be interlockedto established selection groups as typically foundofi a general electionballot. A bar is moveable to horizontally interlock adjacent columns byintroducing locking pins into a position to be cammed by actuation of akey. A drive mechanism associated with each column permits the voter tovote straight party and clears the machine to ready it for anothervoter. The drive mechanism includes cam controlled clutches that operatefour-bar linkage elements to depress or return the key slides. A judgecontrolled mechanism locks the machine between voters. For variousvoting requirements, judge operated. cam arrangements are cooperablewith the horizontal locking pins and the four-bar linkage to selectivelylock out partial or entire columns or rows of key slides. The key slidesare provided with a voter viewable button that registers a visible,luminescent X when a key is voted.

9 Claims, 37 Drawing Figures 32 88 [I00 I16 39 33 as I 6O l l -l- J v Il l l l l l I I I l 79 95 90 9 86 8584 90b 93 7/ 92 96b I I 850 I 6 I I[Lfl i 1 l l M US. Patent ()ct.21, 1975 Sheet1of14 3,914,577

FIG.I

U.'S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet3of 14 3,914,577

0 O O O O O U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 4 of 14 US. Patent Oct. 21,1975 SheetSof 14 3,914,577

U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 FIG. 20

Sheet 7 of 14 US. Patent Oct.21, 1975 Sheet80f14 3,914,577

FIG. 24

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet9of 14 3,914,577

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 10 of 14 3,914,577

FIG. 28\

FIG. 30

U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Shcct11of14 3,914,577

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VON 0; I

mww wonwm Ovm U.S. Patent Oct.2l, 1975 Sheet 12 of 14 3,914,577

VOTING MACHINE This is a division of application Ser. No. 309,174,filed'Nov. 24, l972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,826.

This invention relates to voting machines and more particularly isdirected to improved voting machines of thegeneral constructiondescribed in prior U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,l68,240 and 3,524,969.

A large number and variety of mechanical voting machines'can be found inthe prior art. Machines most commonly found in use today are of the typeas shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,002 and the patents referred totherein. Q

These machines are generally referred to as levertype voting machinesand have found general acceptance and are widely used. In levermachines, multiple horizontal or vertical rows of selector levers areinterconnected by cranks or similar mechanisms to countermechanisms'which register the number of votes cast for a particularcandidate or issue.

Machines of this general type have a number of disadvantages. One of theforemost disadvantages of the lever-type machines is their extreme sizeand weight, often in excess of 500 pounds. Because of the weight, asingle machine requires the effort of several men' to transport themachine from its place of storage to the polls. Furhter, the large sizerequires an extreme amount of storage space when it is considered that acity of, for example, one million people may own or lease severalthousand voting machines. Transportation and storage of the machinesduring periods of non-use can constitute a major financial burden on agovernmental unit.

Aside from the above-mentioned problems of storage and transportation,the lever-type machines require complex procedures on the part of thecustodian to prepare the machine for voting, particularly when themachine is to be used in primary elections. In primary elections it iscommon that one or more candidates will beselected by the voter from alarger group running for the office and, accordingly, the columns mustbe broken down into subgroups of the correct number of candidates. Thesubgroups are established by various interlock arrangements whichusually require that grouping pins or compensators be inserted in thecolumns to serve as barriers to permit only a selected number of votingkeys to be depressed within the column. This can be a difficultoperation requiring skill and much preparation time on the part ofreelection officials in order to insure proper machine functioning.

Another disadvantage of the lever-type voting machine is that theaccompanying ballot is often confusing and difficult for the voter tounderstand because it does not duplicate the format of the traditionalpaper ballot. This is especially true of machines'having horizontalselection rows which require a specialized ballot format to adapt to themachine. It is generally accepted practice for conventional paperballots to display the candidates in a vertical rather than a horizontalarrangement.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a simple tooperate, console type voting machine of substantially reduced size andweight to facilitate handling and storage. The present invention employsa very efficient, compact selector mechanism using displaceable steelballs arranged in columns which permit lists of candidates for more thanone 'office to be placed in a single column. Further, the

colums can be set so that one or more selections from that list can bemade by the voter. Such an arrangement would be typically used in aprimary election. The voting machine of the present invention alsopermits adjacent vertical columns to be mechanically interlocked so thatthe selection groups on the ballot can be arranged horizontally as isnecessary in a general election.

The present invention further has provision for straight party,write-in, and random voting procedures and insures that the voter cannotdisenfranchise himself by casting two opposing votes. The voting machineof the present invention also makes chain voting impossible. A uniqueclutch mechanism performs multiple functions including a clearing andlocking function after each voting cycle and when a straight partyselection is made.

The present invention also permits insertion of a computer compatiblecard into the machine on which card is recorded the voters selections.This card may then be processed by computer to expedite computation ofthe election results and minimize decoding and transcription. Themachine adapts to the requirements of almost any election and the ballotcan be arranged in a format familiar to most voters. The buttons aredepressed and the voted buttons are easily identifiable to the voter byan X appearing at the voted button. In summary, the present inventionprovides a voting machine having improved interlock systems to renderthe machine simple, efficient, lightweight, and yet at the same timehighly versatile and applicable to a variety of voting procedures andadaptable to the various voting laws and requirements in effect in thevarious jurisdictions throughout the country.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following drawings and descriptions in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the voting machine of the presentinvention with a representative ballot in place;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the voting machine with the ballot removed;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are elevational views of a voting key;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged detail views of the end of the voting key;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail view of the voting key and associatedbutton;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the button shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are oppositeside elevational views of the individualvoting machine columns, FIG. 10 being inverted;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along lines 1l-ll ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view showing the end of the lockout barmechanisms;

FIG. 13 is a partial detail view showing a cam arrangment;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a ball housing blockand cam;

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the ball housing block of FIG.14;

FIG-16 is a partial detail view showing the relationship of a keyoverlying a ball housing block;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 16;

I FIGS. 20 to 22 are detail views of drive assembly clutches; v k

FIG. 23 is .a sectional view taken along lines 2323 of FIG. 19 with themechanism shown in a locked position;

mechanism shown in a voted position;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along lines 25-25 of FIG. 19 with thestraight party mechanism in a nonvoted position;

FIG. 26 is a view similar straight party mechanism in a voted position;

FIG. 27 is a detail view of a part of the straight party mechanism; I

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a portion of the column assembly as seenalong lines 28-28 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 29 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 29-29 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 30 is a view similar to FIG. 29 but with the main voting buttonmechanism shown in an alternate position;

FIG. 31 is a partial sectional view generally taken along lines 25 25 ofFIG/19 with structure removed to more'clearly illustrate the motorcontrol switch;

FIG. 32 is a" view similar to FIG. 31 showing the motor control switchin an actuated position;

FIG. 33 is a partial sectional view generally taken along lines 25'25 ofFIG. 19 with structure removed to more clearly illustrate the actuationof the motor control switch in the straight party cycle;

FIG. 34 is a view similarto FIG. 33 showing the switch in anactuated'position;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart representation of the clear cycle operation; and

FIG. 36 is a flow chart representation of the straight party cycle. g I

The voting machine is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally designated by thenumeral 10. The machine would generally be incorporated in anappropriate voting machine cabinet, not shown, when placed in use. Thecabinet would provide for either a vertical or horizontal mounting ofthe mechanisms for voter access depending on preference and votingrequirements. The machine generally has a basic frame structurecomprising opposite side members 12 and 13 and opposite end members 14and 15. A top panel 16 is carried by the frame structure and hasprovision for mounting of the ballot 20. The ballot is divided into aseries of eight vertical selection columns identified 18a through 181'.It should be noted, as used throughout this description, the termhorizontal means a plane parallel to ends 14 and of the machine. Theterm vertical" refers to a plane parallel to sides 12 and 1 3.

Ballot is not a typical ballot one would find when voting but rather isa representative ballot to illustrate the. operation .of the machine.Left hand columns 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d are set up in a formatcorresponding to that used in most general and some city elections inwhich several political parties offer candidates for the same offices,as are listed in column 18A. As shown, the voter wouldmake a choice forthe office of, president from either columns 18b, I80, or 18d and, oncehaving voted one of the selections, is not permitted by the in- FIG. 24is a view simila r to FIG. 23 but with the to 1 1G125 but with theterlock system of the present invention to make another selection forthat office. Column 18/1 illustrates a typical primary election ballotwherein one selection is chosen from several candidates to be theparticular partys candidate in the general election. It willbeappreciated that any other number of rows could as well be provided. Atthe top of each of columns 18b to 18d is a straight party button 21which, as will be more fully explained hereafter, when depressed willcause all the 1 voting keys in the associated vertical column to bedepressed, clearing all other buttons on the machine. A slot 25 in theupper right hand of the machine is provided to accept a data processingcard which is punched in response ,to the voting operation. A reset-,ting lock 26 is used to lock or release the mechanism after each vote isrecorded preparing the machine for the next voter. Lock 28 operatesthecolumn lockouts to lock outof operation certain selected columns orpartial columns. The keys for lock. 26 and 28 are retained by theelection judge or official on duty at the election location. When thevoter has completed making selections, main vote button 44 initiates themachine through its operative cycle. A tray 30 accessible through front15 contains the tally counters and a public counter. One tally counteris provided to correspond to each of the voting buttons on the machine.For a more complete description and understanding of the operation ofthe candidate counters and the card insert and card punching mechanism,please refer to commonly assigned co-pending application entitled PunchAssembly and Method of Making Same", U.S. Ser. No. 309,192 and commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. No.. 3,821,522, granted June 28, 1974, entitledCounter, both filed concurrently herewith.

FIG. 2 illustrates a machine of the present invention with the ballot 20and cover plate 16 removed to expose the basic components of themachine. The rectangularly arranged frame members 12, 13, 14, and 15support eight vertical column members 31 through 38. Each of the columns31 to 38 are similar in construction and each is generally elongate andprovided with a vertical row of slots 39 therein which slidably receivethe end key slides 40. Slot 146 provides access to a cam device forsetting up vertical selection subcolumns. The details of the key slidesare shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 and are discussed in thefollowingparagraphs. The purpose of the present brief description is tooutline the interaction of the main components so that the operation ofthe voting machine will be more easily understood. To make a selection,key slides 40 are manually depressable through a voting button 23extending through the panel 16 and ballot 20. Tray 30 containing thetally counters is horizontally positioned subjacent columns 31 to 38 anddepression of a key slide 40 will [engage a corresponding counter in thetray 30 through plunger 54 at the terminal end of slide 40. The counterssponding key slide by cam surfaces on the slides 40. Rightward movementof a transverse bar 48 into the punch bank selector 42 will block acorresponding I punch selector bar 49 so that upon actuation of thevoting cycle by main voting button 44, the car inserted in slot of cardpunching mechanism 43 will be perforated in a pattern corresponding tothe voters choice. Clearing of the machine and actuation of the straightparty cycle is by virtue of the multiple clutch crive mechanism 50 shownat the upper portion of the machine. An electric motor 45 powers themechanism through the clearing and straight party cycles as will be 7explained. Provision can be included for manually driving the machine bya crank in case of a power failure.

The foregoing is just a brief description of the various main componentsto the machine so that their relative location and interrelationship maybe appreciated. The operation and mechanism of the counter assembly andthe punch mechanism form no part of the present invention but rather arethe subject of the separate aforementioned patent applications. Thepresent invention concerns itself with the voter selection mechanism andmore particularly with the interlock arrangement for setting up andlimiting voting selections and the clutchdrive mechanisms for clearingthe machine and for voting a straight party ticket.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 6, the voting key slide 40 is shown indetail. The key slide 40 comprises an essential part of the machinewhich is operative to register the voters selections. Key 40 extendslaterally in slots 39 in each of the columns and each is manuallydepressable through button 23 by the voter. Each key 40 includes anupper generally rectangular shank portion 52 and a lower extension 51having opposite sides 77 and 78. Opposite transverse slots 65 and 66extend across the intermediate portion of the key 40. Angular camsurfaces 55 are provided on one edge of the key. The cam surface 55 oneach slide is associated with the end of transverse punch actuator bars48. The longitudinal position of cam surfaces 55 along extension 51varies with the column in which the key slide 40 is located. Forexample, cam surfaces 55 on the key slides located in column 38 areimmediately adjacent the shank 52 and the location of the correspondingcam surfaces 55 is displaced downwardly for the slides in eachleftwardly successive row. In this way, all rods 48 that are associatedwith the keys in a horizontal row of key slides are in verticalalignment beneath the columns. The rods 48 are configured to avoidinterference with the adjacent key slides.

Inward of the lower end of the key 40 a shoulder 59 projects laterally.Shoulder 59 is adapted to be engaged by a clear bar of the drivemechanism 50 to return the key to a non-actuated position. Extendingfrom the opposite side of the key is projection 58 which is adapted tobe engaged by a bar in drive 50 to pull the associated key 40 downwardlywhen a straight party button 21 is actuated on the machine. The clearand straight party mechanism is actuated by drive mechanism 50, as willlater be explained.

An important feature of this invention is the vertical interlockarrangement which limits the number of voting buttons a voter candepress within a column by blocking the remaining slides when thepredetermined number of selections has been made. The vertical interlockis achieved by camming accurate steel balls in a tool line extendingthrough the columns along a cam surface on the keys 40. Each key isprovided with cam means 56 including adjacent circular bores 67 and 68extending through the shank of the key slide. A semicircular cammingsurface 69 extends approximately at a 30 angle from the edge of hole 67at surface 77 toward the edge of bore 68 at surface 78. Axial slot 70extends between bores 68 and 69 through the intermediate cam surface 69.

The vertical interlock mechanism permits the election official to set upthe machine in vertical selection column as, for example, would benecessary in a primary election. Other elections may require that themachine be programmed horizontally as in a general election.Accordingly, an important feature of the present invention includesmeans to selectively interlock adjacent horizontal keys to define aselection group and so that only one key can be voted within the group.As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, a cam 79 is provided on the upper end ofthe slide 40 in opposite sides which cooperate with horizontal lockingpins to prevent actuation of more than one key within a group. The cammeans include bore 71 that extends transversely through the shankportions 52 of the slide 40. Cam 79 includes generally V-shaped surfaces72 and 73 which intersect bore 71 at the longitudinal centerline of theshank portion. As best seen in FIG. 7, surfaces 72 and 73 divergeoutwardly to oppositely arranged lands 74 and 75, respectively, whichare all commonly defined within recess 76 in the opposite edges of thekey 40.

FIGS. 9 to 1 1 and 16 to 18 best show the relationship of the slides 40in the columns. Keys 40 are all received in adjacent vertical columns 31to 38 aligned vertically and horizontally. Each column contains aselected number of keys. The following description is with reference tocolumn3'3 'which is typical. Column 33 is a generally elongatedrectangular section and has an aligned series of slots 82 which receivethe main body portion of keys 40. Enlarged slots 39 aligned with slots82 extend to the surface of the column. A shoulder 84 at the bottom endof each slot 39 serves as a stop to engage outwardly extending flangeportion 60 of the associated key. Thus, looking at FIG. 11, which is asectional view through a portion of adjacent columns, key 40 is shown ina normal unactuated position; when actuated it will be moved inwardlyuntil flange 60 contacts shoulder 84 at the bottom of slot 39. An overcenter toggle pin, not shown, may be associated with each key slide 40to give the key a positive action. Cross bore 85, approximatelycorresponding in diameter to the cross bore 71 in the shank portion ofkey slide 40, intersects column slot 82 and terminates in' rectangularslot 86 which extends longitudinally incolumn 33. Horizontal interlockbar 90 is slidable in slot86. Another longitudinal channel 91 extendsthe length of column 33 perpendicular to the axis of key slide 40 andintercepts slots 82 and houses vertical interlock ball housing blocks110 which, as will be described later, are interposed between andcooperate with vertically adjacent keys 40 in the vertical interlockmechanism.

As seen in FIG. 11, a pair of plungers 92 and 93 in the form of pinshaving rounded ends are positioned in cross bore 85. The pins aredimensioned so that pin 92 extends from the center line of the slide keyat the apex of the cam surfaces 72 and 73 to the edge 89 of the column33 next adjacent column 34. Similarly, plunger 93 extends leftwardlyfrom the center line of slide 40. Column 32 next abuts column 33 at edge88 having bore a in direct alignment with slot 86 of column 33.Similarly, at side 89, adjacent column 34 has its interlock bar b indirect alignment with bore 85 of column 33.

The subscripts a, b, etc., here and throughout the speci fication,designate identical or similar elements.

Interlock bar 90 extends the vertical length of col umn 33 in slot 86. Anumber of cross bores 95 are provided in bar 90 and are spaced so thatthe distance between bores 95 is half the distance between adjacentvertical cross bores 85 in the columns. Every other bore 95 houses acompression spring 96 forming a socket 97. A slidable plunger 94 extendsin bores 95 not housing a spring. I

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the interlock bar 90 is verticallyshiftable relative to the associated column to move either a plunger 94or a spring socket 97 in axial alignment with column cross bores 85. An'actuating handle 100 is connected to the lower end of bar 90 andprojects into recess '101 in the column. Manually moving actuator handle100 will displace bar 90 to position the bar in accordance with theelection requirements.

It will thus be understood, referring to FIG. 11, that as key 40 isdepressed in response to a voter operation, the cam surface 79 will beurged between adjacent plungers 92 and 93 parting them in oppositedirections. If it is desired to horizontally interlock adjacent verticalcolumns, as for example when the machine is set up as shown in ballotcolumns 18b, 18c and 18d of figures, actuator 100 in column 33 is movedto position interlock bar 90 to align plungers 94 in the bar with bores85 of the column. The interlock bars in columns 32 and 34 are similarlypositioned. For example, when a key 40 in column 33 isdepressed,associated plunger 93 will move leftwardly urging adjacent plunger 94 inbar 90 leftwardly into engagement with pin 92a located in the adjacentcolumn Pin 92a in adjacent column 32 will be moved into blockingengagement beneath the apex of associated cam 79a of the key slide inthat column.

Column 34 located immediately adjacent side 89 of column 33 has beenpreset having its interlock bar 90b positioned with spring sockets 97bin axial alignment with cross bores 84 of column 33. Upon depression ofa key slide 40 in column 33, pin 92 will simply move into engagement insocket 97b causing spring 96b to be depressed. The axial motion ofplunger 92 will not be transferred across interlock bar 90b to preventthe actuation of the key slides in column 34. Therefore, looking at anarrangement of FIG. 1, it will be seen that by selectively positioninginterlock bar 90, horizontal listings of candidates may be made and theselection limited to one candidate from the preselected row or groupacross the columns. The interlock bar between adjacent columns can bepositioned to either interlocking or isolate the columns, as the casemay be. An entire or partial horizontal row of key slides 40 may belocked out by virtue of cams 102 as seen in FIG. 13. Cams 102 arerotatively mounted oncam shaft 103 immediately adjacent column 38. Eachcam aligns with cross bore 85i in that column. To look out a horizontalrow of keys, associated cam 102 is rotated into engagement with pin 921'to move the horizontal interlock pins 92 in each column into blockingengagement'w'ith the keys 40. A partial horizontal row can be locked outby interrupting the movement of pins 92 by moving interlock bar 90 toalign spring sockets 97 with the pins 92. The horizontal lock isparticularly useful in accommodating more unusual election requirements.The opera tion of cam shaft 103 is controlled by the election judge.

The present invention also has provision for selectively interlockingthe voter selections in a vertical column and for establishingsubcolumns or groups. As seen in FIG. 9, a series of ball housing blocksare received in channel 91 and form part of a vertical interlock systemthat limits the selections that can be made in a'column. Blocks 110 arealternately interposed between adjacent key slides 40. The constructionof the individual ball housing 1 10 is best seen in FIGS. 14 and 15'.

Each block 110 consists of a main body portion 111 which is generallyrectangular having flanged portions 1 l2 and 1 13 extending at rightangles from top surface 1 14 and bottom surface 116, respectively.Flanges l 12 and 113 are each of a depth approximately one-half of thewidth of the keys 40. A slot 115 extends along one side of the block toreceive a corresponding transverse flange in column channel 91 to serveas a guide for lateral adjustment of blocks 110. Projecting from theback of block 110 are legs 118, 119, and 121. A U-shaped opening 122 isdefined between upper legs 118 and 120 and a similar opening 123 isdefined be tween legs 119 and 121. Transverse slots 124 and 125 extendin the opposite sides of the block between the upper and lower legs.

Biasing spring 128 extends from the center of the front face 129 of theblock. A bore 130 vertically extends between top side 114 and bottom 116of the block. Spaced from bore 130 is a socket or blind bore 131. Bore130 and blind bore 131 are of the same diameter. Socket 131 houses abiasing spring 134 which is compressible to'accept a single interlockball. Parallel guide members 132 and 133 at one edge of surface 114 arerespectivelyaligned with the center of bores 130 and 131. At the otheredge adjacent the bores 130 and 131, keeper members 135 and 136 arebiased outwardly by virtue of a spring, not seen, acting within areceiving bore in the block. Keepers 135 and 136 serve to maintainalignment in the row of interlock balls as will be more fullyappreciated.

Slots 124 and 125 at the end of cam housing block 110 receive cam member140 which carries cam 142. Eccentric actuator shaft 144 adapts the camfor manual actuation. As'seen in FIG. 11, cam 140 is positioned withshaft 144 supported in slot 124 and 125 so that cam member 142 abutsblock end 147; Shaft 144 extends parallel to the keys 40 in holes 146 ineach of the columns. Cam 140 is adjustable by insertion of a tool intohole 146 to rotate the can through shaft 144.

Ball housing 110 are sequentially arranged and oriented in the columnsso that face 114 of a block 110 abuts surface 77 of a key slide 40 andopposite surface 78 engages the surface 116 of the next adjacent block 110 with the longitudinal axis of slide 40 transverse to block 110.Spring 128 extending from the ball housing blocks engages side wall 89of the next column to bias the blocks into channel 105. Thus, it will beobserved that block 110 can laterally be displaced by rotation of shaft144, causing cam 142 to bear against surface 147 moving the blockagainst the 1281-" In the normal position, blocks 110 are oriented withhole 67 of key slide 40 in line with bore 130 of the cam blocks 110.Projection 133 on the side 114 of the adjacent ball housing block 110aligns with slot 70 on the surface 77 of the key slide 40. Thus, in theassembled position, there is a pattern as disclosed in FIGS. 16 to forceof biasing spring" 18 with a continuous column or tool line 150assembled with identical steel balls 151 extending vertically throughthe column. The outer hole 68 in each key slide 40 also contains a steelball 152 identical to balls 151 contained within the tool line 150.

By laterally displacing a ball housing block 110 relative to theassociated key 40, a column can be divided into several subcolumns. Asis the case in many primary elections, a single candidate is to beselected from a number of primary candidates. One voting key slide 40would be associated with each of the candidates for the particularoffice. A subcolumn would be indexed by moving the cam block 110adjacent the keys defining the group in the subcolumn to a blockingposition relative to the associated key slide 40. For example,'lookingat FIGS. 17 and 18, upper and lower blocks 110 and 1100 have been movedto separate a subcolumn of candidates for a particular office. Toaccomplish this, cam shaft 144 was rotated 180 by an appropriate toolcausing cam member 142 to bear against surface 147 of the cam block andurge the block against the bias of spring 128 to the position relativeto the respective keys shownin FIG. 18. In this blocking position,socket 130 of ball housing block-110 and'110c now align with too] line150. This establishes a three candidate subgroup with a" voter beingable to select one of the three keys 40, 40a, and 40b.

To understand what occurs when a key in a subcolumn is'voted, assumethat the voter has made a selection on the voting machine causing keyslide 40b to be depressed. As the key slide 40b is moved inwardly, ballllb in hole 67b of key slide 40b will be forced or cammed upwardly bycam 56b into bore 130a of the next upper adjacent ball housing block 1a. When the key 40b is fully depressed ball l52b will have beenintroduced into the tool line 150 causing the tool line to advanceupwardly by one ball diameter against the action of spring 134 in socket131 in the upper terminal ball housing block 110. Spring 134 in theterminal ball housing block will not allow the tool line to advance morethan one diameter into the socket 131, so that it is impossible for morethan one additional ball to be introduced into the tool line. Ball 152bin bore 68b of the key slide will now occupy a position in the toolline. Should the voter attempt to actuate another key slide, suchactuation will be resisted as there is not room in the tool line for anyadditional balls, hence only one key can be moved in each series orsubcolumn.

If it is desired to vote for more than one candidate out of a series, asfor example in an election for city council, the upper end of thecolumns are used to index a subcolumn. Referring to FIG. 9, a receiverassembly 160 is provided to permit multiple selections to be made. Anumber of adjacent ball housing blocks corresponding to the number ofcandidates are positioned having their bores 67 in alignment so that acontinuous column of balls extends in the tool line. Receiver passagewayl6l aligns with bores 67. A guide passageway 162 extends in the columnparallel to the receiver passageway. A slider 164 has a tubular stopv165 in passage 161 and tubular guide member 166 in passage 162.

Web 166 interconnects the tubular members. The inner end of stop 165engages the uppermost ball in tool line 150. Slider 164 is spring biasedby spring 170. Adjusting pin 168 abuts the upper end of slide 164. Pin168 is inserted into vertically spaced grouping holes 169. By verticallyadjusting the position of pin 168, the

effective length of the tool line can be changed so that a predeterminednumber of balls can be introduced into the tool line. For example, if itis desired that three candidates be selected from the series, pin 168 ismoved upwardly a corresponding number of grouping holes 169 to permitslider 164 to be displaced upwardly to admit three additional balls 151into tool line 150. As explained above, each time the voter depressesthe voting key, the action of the associated cam surface 56 will causean additional ball to be moved into the tool line. When three candidateshave been voted, a continuous column of balls will be formed in the toolline extending between the lower terminal ball housing block and slider164 of the receiver 160. No additional selector keys can be depressed asthey will be opposed by a solid chain of balls. It will be noted thatthe arrangement of the present invention has several advantages in thatif a voter changes his mind he may simply pull the voting key out of itsoriginal position which will effectively remove one ball from the toolline thus permitting another selection to be made. Similarly, since theactuation of any one key in' the series does not block the tool line atthat position, the selections do not have to be made in any order. Thatis, the voter does not or is not required to vote for a number ofcandidates in ascending or descending order as was necessary withcertain prior art types of vertical interlocks.

Clutch drive system 50 of the voting machine controls the registeringoperation of the machine and clears or depresses predetermined votingkeys in accordance with the operational mode. Functionally, the drivesystem cooperates with the keys in the individual voting columns toperform the following functional operations:

l. Prevents actuation of the main voting button until at least one keyin any of the columns has been depressed;

2. Automatically depresses all the keys under a party heading if thevoter selects a straight party ticket;

3. Clears all previously depressed selector keys when a straight partybutton is actuated;

4. Automatically locks all voting keys and all remaining straight partybuttons during a straight party voting cycle;

5. Clears all voting keys on the machine and restores them to an upposition at the completion of the voting cycle;

6. Automatically locks out all voting keys in the machine after thecompletion of each voting cycle;

7. Provides a key controlled lock to be operated by the election judgeto release all buttons to prepare the machine for the next voter; and

8. Permits selected columns or partial columns to be completely lockedout by the election judge in accordance with the requirements of theparticular ballot.

The mechanism of the main drive system 50 will best be understood byunderstanding operational sequence of events that occur in the votingcycle. When inactive, before the beginning of an operational votingcycle, the voting machine is in a locked condition which does not permitoperation by a voter until the machine is placed in a ready condition byan appropriate election official or judge outside the voting booth.

All the voting keys are locked in an up position by means of the clearmechanism, a bar which extends the full length of each vertical columnand engages each of the voting keys. The clear bar, as will be explainedin

1. A voting machine comprising: a frame member having a multiplicity ofelongated voting keys arranged in substantial alignment in at least twoadjacent columns having adjacent keys, said keys manually slidablerelative to said frame member from a non-voted to a voted position; across bore in said frame member substantially perpendicular to thedirection of movement of said keys; cam means associated with said keysat said cross bore; plunger means positioned in said cross bore andarranged relative to said cam means whereby actuation of one of saidkeys to a voted position causes said cam means on said voted key todiSplace said plunger means and whereby said plunger means can be movedinto a blocking position at the cam means of an adjacent key in anon-voted position thereby preventing actuation of said non-votedadjacent key; and interlock means positioned in said bore between saidadjacent keys having first means preventing the movement of said plungermeans to said blocking position and second means transferring themovement of said plunger means to said blocking position whereby saidinterlock means can be positioned to establish an interlocked selectiongroup including a predetermined number of adjacent keys.
 2. The votingmachine of claim 1 wherein said interlock means comprise a bar slidablerelative to said keys having a first and second position relative tosaid cross bore, said preventing means comprise a pin in alignment withsaid cross bore in said first bar position to transfer cam actuatedplunger means movement to said non-voted adjacent key, and saidtranferring means comprise compressible means aligned with said plungermeans in said second bar position to receive the plunger means displacedby the cam means of said voted key and isolate said adjacent non-votedkey.
 3. The voting machine of claim 2 including means associated withsaid bar for shifting said bar between said first and second positions.4. The voting machine of claim 2 wherein said cam means is associatedwith each of said keys and is of a general V-shape and said plungermeans comprise pins oppositely extending from said cam means wherebysaid pins are oppositely displaced by said cam means.
 5. The votingmachine of claim 2 including multiple rows of said voting keys andfurther including lockout cam means for selectively locking out partialor entire rows of keys, said lockout cam means including a cam membercarried on a cam shaft associated with said plunger means at the end ofone of said rows of keys, said cam shaft adapted for manual actuationhaving a position engaging and moving the associated plunger means intoblocking engagement with the non-voted keys in said one row.
 6. Thevoting machine of claim 5 further including multiple position controlmeans for positioning said cam shaft.
 7. In a voting machine with aframe member having a multiplicity of elongated voting keys arranged insubstantial alignment in a plurality of columns and rows substantiallyperpendicular to each other, said keys manually slidable relative tosaid frame member from a non-voted to a voted position, the combinationcomprising in each column: a plurality of cross bores in said frame,each substantially parallel to one of said rows of keys; a plurality ofcam means each associated with one of said keys at one of said crossbores; a plurality of plunger means each one positioned in one of saidcross bores and arranged relative to said cam means at said one crossbore whereby actuation of one of said keys to a voted position causessaid cam means on said voted key to displace the plunger means in thecross bore corresponding to the row of said voted key into a positionblocking the cam means of each of the keys in a non-voted position inthe row of said voted key thereby preventing actuation of said non-votedkeys; and interlock means positioned in each of said bores betweenadjacent columns having a first interlock position preventing movementof each of said plunger means to said blocking position and a secondinterlock position transferring the movement of each of said plungermeans to said blocking position whereby said interlock means ispositioned to establish an interlock selection group of keys in each ofsaid rows between predetermined columns.
 8. The combination of claim 7and further comprising in said each column a longitudinal bore inalignment with said keys of said column and intersecting the cross boresin said column, and wherein said interlock means comprises a slide barslidably disposed in said longitudinal bore having a plurality ofplunger transmiTting means and a plurality of plunger isolating meansalternately spaced along said slide bar, whereby in said first interlockposition said plunger isolating means are in alignment with said crossbores of said column and in said second interlock position said plungertransmitting means are in alignment with said cross bores of saidcolumn.
 9. The combination of claim 8 wherein each of said plungertransmitting means comprises a plunger pin slidably disposed in a crossbore in said slide bar, and wherein each of said plunger isolating meanscomprises a compression spring positioned in a cross bore in said slidebar.